Internal wire supports for re-inforced vinyl extrusions

ABSTRACT

A plastic support which holds a wire throughout its length which may be inserted into a hollow plastic member such as a fence rail with the wire positioned where it may prevent deflection of the plastic fence or like member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] In applicant's co-pending patent application Ser. No. 09/671,852entitled REINFORCED VINYL EXTRUSIONS, an invention is disclosed andclaimed which utilizes wires in hollow vinyl extrusions to prevent theirdeflection, especially those used as fence rails. While this inventionworks very effectively, there is a problem in inserting the wiresthrough the length of the extrusions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The purpose of this invention is to provide a mechanism wherebythe wires which are to be placed under tension inside of the hollowextruded member may be readily introduced into the hollow extrudedmember by means of plastic supports which have a length approximatelythe same as the hollow extruded plastic member and which in turn carrythe wires in the appropriate position inside of the hollow extrudedmember.

[0003] Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a plasticmember which will carry suitable interior wire reinforcement which maybe inserted into a hollow plastic extrusion and thus, preventunnecessary deflection in use.

[0004] This, together with other objects of the invention, will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of the invention andthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005]FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partly in section showing a plasticsupport, H-shaped in cross section, fitted within a rectangular extrudedplastic member such as a fence rail.

[0006]FIG. 2 is an end view of FIG. 1 showing the end which is not shownin FIG. 1.

[0007]FIG. 3 is a side view of the opposite end of the combination shownin FIG. 1

[0008]FIG. 4 is a section in the plane 4-4 of FIG. 3.

[0009]FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but shows an alternative typeof plastic support member which is X-shaped in cross section.

[0010]FIG. 6 is a section at the end of FIG. 5 showing the support wireextending out into the rear of the plastic extruded member.

[0011]FIG. 7 is a section through FIG. 5 in the plane 7-7.

[0012]FIG. 8 is a section similar to FIGS. 6 and 7 showing an I-shapedplastic support member which has only a single wire going through thehollow extruded plastic member.

[0013]FIG. 9 is a section of FIG. 8 in the plane 9-9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] This invention will be described with respect to an extrudedvinyl fence rail which is rectangular in cross section; however, itshould be understood that it is applicable to other vinyl extrusionswhich may be circular in cross section as is disclosed in applicant'sco-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/671,852.

[0015] Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1,typical fence rail 10 is provided with end cap 11 which has a comparableend cap 12 at the opposite end. (See FIG. 2.) The plastic support member13 is shown in section and is provided with four openings 14 a, 14 b, 14c and 14 d extending through its length through which the two pairs ofwires 15 a and 15 b pass. These openings may be better seen in FIG. 4with the wires 15 a and 15 b extending therethrough.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a view of the end cap 12 showing the wires 15 a and 15 bextending outward through openings 12 a and 12 b and then inward throughopenings 12 c and 12 d of the cover 12. As shown in FIG. 1, the wiresare clipped together with clips 16 a and 16 b where they extend outwardthrough openings 11 a, b, c and d of end cap 11.

[0017] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 7, an alternate plastic support 17is shown which is X-shaped in cross section and provided with openings18 a, 18 b, 118 c and 18 d, comparable to the openings and the locationof the openings shown in FIG. 4 of the H-shaped cross section member 13.Wires 15 a and 15 b are located in these openings similar to the mannerwhich has been described in connection with FIG. 1 where wires 15 a and15 b extend through openings 11 a, b, c and d and are clipped togetherat the outside of the end cap 11.

[0018] It should be noted that while round openings 14 a, b, c, d and 18a, b, c and d are shown, these openings can as well be U-shaped in crosssection with the open portion of the U extending from the member itself.In other words the U portions which would be comparable to openings 14 band 14 c would extend upwardly and the U portions that would replaceopenings 14 a and 14 d would extend downwardly, thus, effectivelyholding the wires 15 a and 15 b in place in both places.

[0019]FIG. 6 is a section of FIG. 5 in the plane 6-6 showing the wire 15b extending through the end of the end cap 12.

[0020]FIG. 8 is a third example of a plastic support 19 in the shape ofan I-beam in cross section. This is designed for use where there is onlya need for a single wire 20 such as where the width of the extrudedvinyl member 10 is much less than the height of the member 10.

[0021] The member 10 shown in FIG. 8 is provided with end caps 21 and 22similar to those previously described and the wire 20 extends throughopenings 22 a and b of end cap 22 and is clipped together by a clip 24.In this case the openings 23-23 are at the opposite ends of the centersection of the I-beam 19 as best shown in FIG. 9 and may be circular incross section or U-shaped as previously described.

[0022] When utilizing the plastic support, the wires are placed thereintemporarily fastened together at one end without the use of an end capand at the opposite end, the wires extend through the end cap such asend caps 12 or 21. The entire assembly is then inserted inside of theextruded plastic fence rail 10 until the end cap 12 or 21 fits snuglyagainst the end of the plastic rail 10 and then the wires are pokedthrough the openings in the opposite end cap 11 or 22 and fastened withthe appropriate fasteners 16 a and 16 b or 21. This provides an easy wayin which to insert the wires through the length of the fence rail and toensure that they are positioned in the best possible location to providemaximum strength and prevent the deflection of the fence rail or otherplastic extrusion.

[0023] While this invention has been shown and described with respect toa detailed embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled inthe art that various changes in form and detail thereof may be madewithout departing from the scope of the claims of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A plastic support whose length is greater thanits width and having two ends and comprising at least two oppositelydisposed openings extending the length of said support, each of saidopenings adapted to contain wire therein extending there through.
 2. Theplastic support of claim 1 which is H-shaped in cross section.
 3. Theplastic support of claim 1 which is X-shaped in cross section.
 4. Theplastic support of claim 1 which is I-shaped in cross section.
 5. Theplastic support of claim 2 wherein openings are provided at theextremities of each of the vertical portions of the H-shape in crosssection extending the length of said support.
 6. The plastic support ofclaim 3 wherein openings are provided at the ends of the legs of saidsupport extending the length of said support.
 7. The plastic support ofclaim 4 wherein openings are provided at each end of the verticalportion of the I-shaped cross section extending the length of saidsupport.
 8. The plastic support of claim 5 wherein said openings areU-shaped in cross section.
 9. The plastic support of claim 6 whereinsaid openings are U-shaped in cross section.
 10. The plastic support ofclaim 7 wherein said openings are U-shaped in cross section.